What was the average price of a car in the 40s?

In the United States, a typical new car in the 1940s cost roughly $1,200 on average in nominal dollars, with prices generally ranging from about $800 at the start of the decade to around $1,500 by 1949. Adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly the equivalent of $15,000 to $20,000 today, though actual out-the-door prices varied widely due to wartime disruptions and postwar demand.

Why the 1940s “average price” is tricky to pin down

The 1940s were an extraordinary decade for the auto market. Civilian car production was halted in early 1942 and did not resume until late 1945, as factories shifted to wartime output. Official list prices were subject to government controls, and for several years there were effectively no new cars to buy. When production restarted, pent-up demand produced long waitlists and dealer premiums in some markets, causing transaction prices to diverge from suggested retail prices. As a result, the most reliable way to answer the question is to cite typical list prices for mainstream models and show the progression across the decade.

What Americans typically paid across the decade

The following estimates summarize typical base list prices (not including taxes, options, or dealer markups) for mass-market cars by year. These figures are representative rather than exhaustive and reflect the broad move from prewar affordability to higher postwar prices.

1. 1940: about $800–$900 for a mainstream sedan
2. 1941: about $900–$1,000
3. 1942: roughly $950–$1,050 before civilian production halted
4. 1943–1945: virtually no civilian new cars available
5. 1946: about $1,100–$1,250 (tight supply; waitlists common)
6. 1947: about $1,250–$1,400
7. 1948: about $1,350–$1,500
8. 1949: about $1,400–$1,600 (new postwar designs broadened choices)

Across the model years when new cars were actually sold, these representative figures yield a simple nominal average close to $1,200 for the decade, with the low end early in the 1940s and higher prices at the decade’s end.

Representative sticker prices for popular models

To ground those ranges, here are ballpark base MSRPs for well-known models of the era. Individual trims, body styles, and options (for example, heaters and radios were often extra) could raise or lower the final price.

• 1940 Ford Deluxe Tudor Sedan: roughly $700–$750
• 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Sedan: roughly $950–$1,000
• 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor: roughly $1,100–$1,200
• 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe Sedan: roughly $1,300–$1,350
• 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline/Fleetmaster Sedan: roughly $1,400–$1,500
• 1949 Ford Custom Tudor Sedan: roughly $1,400–$1,450
• 1949 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Sedan: roughly $1,500–$1,550

These examples illustrate the decade’s climb from sub-$1,000 prewar stickers to around $1,500 by 1949 for popular, mainstream sedans.

How that translates to today’s dollars

Using the U.S. CPI as a guide, prices from the late 1940s translate to roughly 12–14 times higher in 2024–2025 dollars. That puts a representative 1940s new-car price of about $1,200 in the neighborhood of $15,000–$17,000 today, with late-decade prices of $1,500 equating to roughly $18,000–$21,000. This provides context rather than a precise equivalence, since features, performance, safety, and market structure have changed dramatically.

What drove prices in the 1940s

Several forces unique to the decade pushed list and transaction prices around, often in opposite directions.

• Wartime shutdown: Civilian auto production essentially stopped from early 1942 through 1945, eliminating supply.
• Price controls: The Office of Price Administration capped many prices, stabilizing official lists but not always real-world transactions.
• Pent-up demand: After the war, years of deferred purchases led to waitlists and markups until output caught up.
• Model updates: Late-1940s redesigns and added features nudged base prices higher.
• Broader inflation: Rising wages and general postwar inflation added upward pressure by the decade’s end.

Taken together, these factors explain why nominal list prices rose steadily from the prewar period to 1949, while scarcity and demand occasionally pushed actual buyer costs even higher than the sticker.

Summary

In the 1940s United States, a new car typically cost around $1,200 on average, with prices ranging from roughly $800 before World War II to about $1,500 by 1949. In today’s money, that’s approximately $15,000–$20,000. Wartime production halts, government price controls, and postwar demand make the decade unusual, but the broad picture is clear: cars were relatively affordable by sticker price, and climbed steadily as the decade progressed.

What was the cheapest car in the 1940s?

Willys-Overland automobiles started at $495 which was a great price for the average consumer. “The Willys for 1940 is presented to the public to meet the demand for a totally new low priced car, stylish and beautiful,” as stated in advertising campaigns.

How much was a car in 1945?

A new car cost about $1,080 to $1,100 in 1945, with specific prices varying by model and dealer. This price is relatively high, as wartime rationing meant many cars were unavailable, and new car production was low, while used cars from earlier years, such as a 1936 Packard, could be found for as little as $175. 
Details on 1945 Car Prices

• New car prices: A typical price for a new car in 1945 was around $1,080 to $1,100. 
• Used car prices: A used 1939 Ford sedan was available for $595, and a used 1936 Packard 120 sedan sold for $175. 
• Context: The year 1945 marked the end of World War II, which had a significant impact on the availability and production of new cars. 

Factors influencing car prices:

• Rationing: Wartime rationing and the shift in production from cars to military equipment meant fewer new cars were available to consumers. 
• Availability: Due to the war, new car production had been halted for several years, creating a supply and demand issue that influenced prices. 

How much did cars cost in the 1940s?

In 1940, the average price for a new car was around $850, though prices varied by manufacturer and model, with some low-cost models like the Willys starting as low as $495 and a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe beginning around $599 for a base model. 
Here’s a breakdown of car prices in 1940:

• Average Price: Approximately $850. 
• Lower-Cost Models: A Willys automobile started at about $495. A standard 1940 Ford Coupe cost $599. 
• Specific Models: A 1940 Plymouth 2-door sedan cost $739, and a 1940 Pontiac DeLuxe Torpedo Six was priced at $828. 

What was the average price of a car in the 1930s?

In 1930, the average new car price was between $400 and $600, though prices varied significantly by model and manufacturer, with luxury vehicles like the Duesenberg Model J costing over $15,000 and more affordable options like the Fordor being less expensive. For example, a Fordor model was listed at $600 and a De Luxe Fordor at $640.
 
Here’s a breakdown of car prices in 1930:

• Average New Car Price: Approximately $400 to $600. 
• More Affordable Models: A used 1930 Chevrolet coach was listed at $500. 
• Luxury Cars: High-end vehicles, such as the 1930 Duesenberg Model J, could cost upwards of $15,000 to $20,000, equivalent to nearly $375,000 today. 
• Factors Influencing Price: The price depended on the make, model, and type of vehicle, with coach-built luxury cars being considerably more expensive.